Kowa's 88mm Prominar spotting scope takes image quality to the max by incorporating fluorite crystal lenses. With the enhanced resolution, color, and contrast, customers enjoy the ultimate viewing experience. An 88mm objective lens offers terrific light-gathering power for long distances and low light settings. Kowa engineers offset the length and weight associated with a large objective lens by incorporating an inner focus system and a magnesium alloy body. With the eyepiece locking mechanism, the eyepiece securely attaches to the body and reduces the risk of loss. The waterproof and fogproof body adds protection from rain and temperature fluctuations. Kowa offers a limited lifetime warranty for this scope.

Bought this spotting scope to spot at the gun range. Purchased with 20x-60x eyepiece and optional case. The scope and eyepiece are very well thought out...everything cleanly snaps together with no wiggle. Was able to clearly see .223/5.56mm holes (roughly size of the end of a pencil eraser) clearly at 200 yards with a white paper target. Having a separate coarse/fine focus makes this possible even dialed out to 60x. Expect it will work at 300 yards with .223 which was my goal. The scope is also light for its size but seems very solid. Still you'll need a solid, heavy tripod for it to keep it on-target in wind. Very positive impression.

kowa TSN 884 a wonderful scope
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11/09/2013

by
tom a. from maine

The optics of this scope are as good as I have experienced. Really works well in low light levels. The fine tuning focus knob allows you to really hone in on details. Seems solid and servicable so far.

Kowa Spotting Scope
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11/30/2012

by
Jerry M. from Erie, Pa.

I put aside my Kowa TSN 4 after using it for many years. The focusing wheel was worn out and the scope was no longer sealed from the elements. I really like the new Kowa 884 Prominar. I stayed with the straight through scope since it suits me well conducting waterbird surveys from my car with the scope mounted on the window. I like the having both a fine and course focusing wheel. The detail of the image through the scope is superb, even in low light. It is suprisingly light despite it large size. I am still adjusting to the larger objective lens, since it tends to get in the way when I am trying to line up on a bird. I like the feature of the band around the body of the scope that allows you to turn the scope 90 degrees. I am very pleased so far.

Simply the best
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08/01/2011

by
Jared from Estes Park, CO

I use my Kowa nearly everyday as a nature guide in Rocky Mountain National Park. I have tried it side by side against high end Nikon, Leica, Zeiss, Swarovski, and a few other lesser brand scopes and each and every time this scope with the 20-60x comes out a very clear winner, literally. Especially when you get to 40x and beyond. Its just razor sharp at 60x in good weather (no fog or heat waves) which every other scope I've tried can't come close to. We spot moose and big horn sheep well over 2 miles away and the only limiting factor is the atmospheric conditions. They eye piece is huge, bright, and clear, the two focus wheel system is precise. I like it so much I'm buying another one.

Best image in the industry
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11/09/2010

by
Caleb from Sparta MI

I am a lifelong birder who happily used a Leica standard 77mm spotting scope for 12 years, but always dreamt of upgrading to the best. I finally did it with this scope. All I can say is that I have nothing negative to say about this scope- even minor. First, the image quality is stunning- it is bright, crisp to the edges, and stunningly clear. I do believe this to be the highest quality image available on the market currently, and I have compared the top of the line Swarovski and Zeiss models. They are all in the same class, but the Kowa to me is the best overall. I also really like the focus knobs- having a separate coarse and fine focus (as in the Leica, contra the Swarovski 80mm HD) is fantastic. It is easy to fine tune the scope focus with one hand while using the other hand to maneuver the digiscoping camera, and the results are really amazing. I love that Kowa has built in threading to accept digicsoping adapters, and recommend the Kowa adapters highly. The objective collar pulls out very far, which is helpful in rain events.

All in all, if it is image quality you care about most, I have no qualms in recommending this scope. The only reasons I would go with the Swarovski would be related to ergonomics or a preference for the collar focus ring.

Superb Scope
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06/03/2010

by
Brock Hoagland from Hazen, ND

I had been planning on getting the Brunton 20-60x spotting scope since I have Brunton 8.5x Epoch binoculars (see my review on them). However, after researching spotting scopes on-line and reading reviews, especially Cornell University's Ornithilogical Lab's 2008 spotting scope review I opted for the Kowa with the 20-60x zoom lens.

Yes, the Kowa is expensive, but you get what you pay for. Before dark one day I sighted the Kowa in on a pine tree sapling a couple hundred yards away. When it got too dark to see it with the naked eye it was still easily seen through the Kowa and it was bright enough that I could almost count the needles if I had been so inclined. Distant birds are brought in close with feather colors easily discerned.

Having two wheels for adjusting focus, one coarse and one fine, is very handy. When zooming from 20x to higher powers very little adjustment is needed for the focus. One minor quibble which is probably endemic to all zoom lens is at powers above 40x it is difficult to adjust the focus that last little bit for the sharpest view. But you can focus it sufficiently for all practical purposes.

Bottom line, if you want the best and can afford it, the Kowa is one spotting scope that you must consider.

Great scope
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02/15/2010

by
Alan Adler from Tucson, AZ

Read the Cornell scope review and wanted to compare this to comparable Swarowski scope. We ordered both and did our own comparison. Overall the Kowa won on a crisper image at higher zoom and the focusing mechanism was easier to use - quick and less shaking of the scope when compared to the ring focus of the Swarowski. We are completely happy with this scope, highest recommendation